Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Get the World’s Best Smelling Laundry (People Will Want to Snuggle You)
There’s clean laundry… and then there’s walk-by-and-people-lean-in-for-a-second-sniff laundry. The kind that smells soft, warm, expensive, and comforting. The kind that makes people say, “Wait—what detergent do you use?”
After lots of trial, error, and one slightly obsessive phase of testing everything from luxury pods to old-school laundry stripping, I finally landed on a routine that delivers the world’s best-smelling laundry—every single time.
Here’s exactly how I do it. The inspiration for this article comes via my grandma, who lived for the freshest clean smelling laundry and actually liked doing laundry like me.
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We love Seventh Generation too!
More Clean Home Loves
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These pods pack a great smelling punch of clean!
Step 1: Start with a Truly Addictive Detergent
Your detergent sets the base note of your laundry scent, so this step matters.
Laundry Sauce Detergent Pods – Himalayan Cashmere + Discount (click the link or use code CAROLYNBRADEN for 15% off)
This is where the expensive smell comes from. I took the quiz on Laundry Sauce’s website after they asked if they could send me a sample box of pods to try. The quiz told me Himalayan Cashmere was what I needed, and it got it right!
The scent is warm, soft, and cozy without being overpowering. Think elevated clean with a touch of comfort—like freshly laundered cashmere in a boutique hotel. Not only does it smell good, but it also gets your laundry clean. I can actually feel how clean my laundry is as there is no residue.
You can either buy a box of pods (or browse all their laundry products) or sign up for a subscription. A sub will leave you never having to lug a big bottle of pods or detergent home from a store again. They have many scents for all the noses out there!
I use Laundry Sauce pods for:
Sheets
Towels
Lounge sets
Anything I want to feel extra luxe
DedCool Laundry Detergent — Xtra Milk
For everyday wear, this is my clean-girl staple. DedCool Xtra Milk is subtle, skin-like, and modern. It smells like the room spray and is divine. It doesn’t scream “laundry”—it whispers you smell good naturally.
Pro tip: Don’t mix detergent scents in one load. Pick your vibe and commit.
SNIF – Old Money
SNIF came up in my research as being a “world’s best smelling laundry detergent” and according to the reviews, it is! I haven’t tried this one, but you can check out the SNIF brand here.
Seventh Generation — Sensitive Skin
Can’t do scents? We got you! We love unscented Seventh Generation EasyDose and use it if our skin ever becomes irritated. It gets laundry clean and smelling the same…clean without odors.
Click the image above or shop the photo using this link to Amazon
Step 2: Use Scent Boosters Strategically (Not Recklessly)
Yes, Downy Scent Booster Beads are in the rotation—but this is not a dump-the-whole-cap situation.
I use:
A small sprinkle for towels and bedding
Never for delicate or already-fragrant loads
They amplify the scent without drowning it out. Think enhancer, not main character. The light scented ones are perfect if you don’t like stronger scents.
I’ve found the best prices for Downy Beads (a giant bottle!) via Sam’s Club.
My laundry stripping routine starts in my bathtub
Step 3: My Secret Weapon—Laundry Stripping (When Needed)
If your laundry never smells as good as you want (think: musty towels!), buildup is probably the issue. My stripping tutorial is here.
Watch me strip laundry in my 1-minute video below via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
My laundry stripping method resets everything back to zero by removing:
Old detergent residue
Fabric softener buildup
Trapped odors
I do this:
Every few months
On towels, sheets, and athleisure
Once you strip your laundry, scents absorb better, last longer, and smell cleaner—not chemical. It’s a total game changer and the unsung hero of great-smelling laundry. A key ingredient in my stripping recipe is Super Washing Soda, and I add it as a booster to my towel loads weekly.
We love our Zum dryer balls and oil spray
Step 4: Skip Dryer Sheets—Use Dryer Balls Instead
Zum Indigo Wild Laundry Dryer Balls Kit
These are essential for soft, fresh laundry without coating your clothes in residue.
Why dryer balls win:
Reduce drying time
Help scent distribute evenly
Don’t mute your detergent fragrance
You get fluffier towels, softer clothes, and a truer scent payoff. Spray the essential oil spray that comes in the kit for a scent boost! We love the Frankincense & Myrrh scent.
Do you still want dryer sheets? Try Seventh Generation (we buy ours usually at Target) in a light lavender scent. We use them if static electricity takes over.
Step 5: Lock in the Cozy with Linen & Fabric Sprays
I adore Himalayan Cashmere by Laundry Sauce
This is where the snuggle factor happens.
Laundry Sauce Fabric Refresher Spray – Himalayan Cashmere + Discount (click the link or use code CAROLYNBRADEN for 15% off)
I lightly mist:
Bedding before bed
Throws and blankets
Hoodies and sweaters that you don’t wash often
It refreshes without smelling like you’re covering something up.
DedCool Room + Linen Spray – Xtra Milk
This scent is iconic for a reason. Soft, creamy, comforting, and addictive. I can spray it in a room and smell it again throughout the entire day and it doesn’t make me, my husband or my dogs and cats sneeze…score! It’s so uplifting to walk into a good smelling room! I use it on:
Sheets
Pillows
Robes
Rooms
Learn about more of our sneeze free home fragrance loves by DedCool and more in our article here.
Step 6: Store Your Laundry Like You Care About It
Clean laundry can lose its scent fast (or end up smelling moldy) if it’s stored wrong.
My rules:
Fully dry everything before folding
Store in clean drawers (wipe them out occasionally)
Add a light spritz of linen spray to closets
Laundry scent should feel intentional—not accidental.
The Final Result
Laundry that smells:
Clean but not sharp
Cozy but not heavy
Luxe but still fresh
The kind of laundry that makes people linger a little closer… and absolutely want to snuggle you.
Once you dial in your routine, there’s no going back 💕
Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💚 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.